Black History Month

“It’s all the same, we are all the same,” Dr. James Tate says at the February 27th Black History Month celebration in the Shasta College Cafeteria. A keynote speaker, Dr. Tate is a neurosurgeon who founded the Patient’s Hospital in Redding in 1992.

Dr. Tate tells of his life, growing up as a young man in a newly integrated world. He talks about his father, who even when he enlisted in the army, faced strange, segregated treatment like the thousands of other black soldiers during World War II. They weren’t allowed to carry guns—why? Because the white officers were afraid they would shoot them.

Luckily, times continued to evolve and change. Truman eventually desegregated the army. More freedom was made available for blacks. So many African American people have made a difference in our world today: Thurgood Marshall was the first African American ever appointed to the Supreme Court; Dr. Mae Jemison, who went into space on the Endeavor in 1992; Jack Johnson achieved the World Championship Heavyweight title in 1908.

Black History Month is meant to remember the hard times in the past and celebrate all the good going on today. The event, organized by a Black History Month committee and Professor Lena Baker. There was a saxophone performance by a very talented young man, a jovial MC to guide the night, a little serenade from two children, and a dinner to close the night.

For anyone interested, the Black History Month celebration at Shasta College is a night to enjoy, and hopefully, will come back next year. ■